Tomomi

This Thursday morning was very difficult. I had to say good-bye to a girl who I spent 3 months together almost every weekend. Tomomi is a girl who was home-staying at my husband's parents place. I was really looking forward to having her here and after spending couple of days together, she was already like my little sister. We had a great fun together and same time, I don't know how much I was relieved by her. This is my first summer in Zurich and there are too many things that I could hardly get use. In any of these situation, the existense of Tomomi helped me a lot. She was very thankful for my tlanslation and support but it was me who was actually relying to her. I have spent too long time in Tokyo as being a super busy girl. Therefore, what I afraid the most, let's say what I can't get use to is enormous time. I'm very bad in killing time and make it a fruitful one since my time was always flying in the past. In these moment, Tomomi was there and accompanied me. She also being flexible and accompanied me for quick lunch time. Usually I don't have any plan over the lunch time while my Swiss colleague dash out from the office to meet someone. Tomomi also aked me many things. I helped her to valid Euro Rail Pass, I always ordered everything with my poor German and I translated her whenever she has problem in expressing herself. Usually I was depending on my husband but by helping her, I learned to be confident to myself as well. Without having her, my days in Zurich were more difficult. Life is all about meeting and farewell. I had to say good-bye to uncountable friends in Japan but now in Switzerland there was also many new meeting including Tomomi. Sad to see Tomomi leaving but I also have to move on and be more independent.

Thank you Tomomi. Looking forward to seeing you again in near future!

Street Parade

One day in August,,, Zürich becomes the most crazy city in Europe...

STREET PADARE, a huge Techno Party having thousands of visitors from whole Europe, driving everybody crazy and converting the city as one big disco club.

When I reach center of the city, I doubted my eyes. It was not Zürich which is normally very calm and classic. The loud music played entire of the city where ever I go and the way people dress were completely beyond my expectation!!

Gossic fashion in Europe! In Japan, these style are called "Goss Lori" or "Gossic style" who wear all black, princess like, sadistic, or sometimes erotic.




When I was focusing my camera, one man suddenly appear in the screen with funky pause! Everyone become funny and friendly!



Even polices making fun! Unbelievable!!



Men or women, many people are almost naked. Doesn't matter how their shape is:) Everybody are freely enjoying their costume and be crazy! That's a very fun part of living in Europe. In Japan, people will talk about you behind your back when they are doing something too extreme. Many people also painted themselves in silver, blue, red,, not only their head but all over the body!!



Later on, I found same group of people with nice aXXes. Then, I found his aXX writte "I love ALEX". That was super cool! I wish I could take photo and send to my friend Alex.

So I bought myself a devil horn. Can't be that extreme yet but maybe I'll try my best next year.



Then came strange hippy man suddenly captured me! Everything is allowed in this date! Funny, so just make a photo!



Then I found cool friend of mine. Two men from England also fully enjoying the party with sexy style! Can't stop beer, huh? Hi Hi!




Party continue until late. The main street where those techno cars go by was completely full like that of disco in the best time in the night. Car goes slowly one by one. Whenever a car pass by, people on the street became so excited. Me, I wish I had a chance to roam around the city on the car.. Now too old to do so;-)





Zürich has indeed many faces. Sometimes shows it's traditional, classical and conservative face but on the other hand, the city could be soooo crazy and fascinate many people from abroad. What is a real Zürich? I think all of them. And that make the city very attractive.

European Wedding

Saturday August 4, it was a wedding of Joy and Thomas who are good friends of my husband. For me, it was a first experience of attending european wedding ceremony. I was curious how it is like since there was already a big differences from that of Japan. In Japan, you don't bring your husband (wife) with you to the ceremony. Not to mention girlfriends and boyfriends. For example at my wedding, the guests from my husband side were all couple but on the other hand, my side of the guests were all by themselves. In this point, I really like European style. It is nice that I can join a wedding even though I don't know the wedding couple well. I also wished Japanese guests who attended my wedding could bring their parters. But it doesn't work even I allowed them to do so. Sadly, it is Japanese custom to hesitate showing their partners.

Anyway, here's the report of European wedding in Japanese point of view!





It was such a blessing day from morning. Sun was shining and hot, dry summer day. The ceremony taken place in Grossmünster which is a symbolic church of Zürich. People simply waited outside, chatting and greeting each others until the ceremony starts. I always impressed how sociable the people are. Just one question remains, if the weather was not good, is the waiting room will be provided? Maybe all had to wait under umbrella. How big luck we all had!



Fist came best men for groom and best women for bride. I found this custom very cute, having best men and women. They wear same dresses on and supporting bride and groom. Normally brothers and sisters are on the top choice for "bests" but of course friends can be also chosen. But if I had to chose best women, it was very very difficult. I can't chose only four among my friends! (I have not sisters)



After groom came in, here is bride escorted by her father.

Ceremony was also interesting. Singing a song is same in Japan but long speech of priest was something different. I couldn't understand fully but I wondered what he was talking for such a long time. I thought he just proceed with bible but it seems that he was giving so many advise regarding the marriage. After the ceremony, I have been explained that he was talking according to bible and regarding the god, but for me, he looked like a professor in university. The way he actively talk reminded me of my school days and a class. Music was good. Celo was played by the best man. Trio of trumpets were professional. Both were indeed beautiful. Live instrument music in church is common in Europe which is again different from Japan.



What I found also cute is that not all the arrangement is perfect. Not in a negative way. It doesn't really matter when the tiara of bride almost slip off from her head. If that happens in Japan, the wedding manager will dash toward her and quickly fix it again:) Also the couple having a seat while priest speaking was interesting. In Japan we have to stand from the beginning to the end. It is also a part of performance to guests, showing beautiful dress. That's why a wedding manager is always there and take care of her dress to be seen in a best way. Every single movement of bride followed by quick fix by manager. That is funny. Another big difference is the atmosphere. I think here in Europe is more casual even though it's taken place in such a traditional and classical münster. In Japan, people are hardly allowed to whisper during the ceremony.



Here are the wedding couples. Great smile! It's the moment when we all share the happiness.



Upon we got out from the church, there was a super cool car waiting in front of it. It is a hire car for bride and groom to move on to the net party.

Inside, drinks are arranged for wedding couple to toast. What surprising was the seat for groom. On the table, there was a "playboy" and condom with a hole! European joke! Quick apello (standing cocktail) was taken place after the ceremony at backyard and then guests move on to the next party by their own.



Bride, groom and best men women.

The dinner was held at beautiful countryside in Germany which is only 40 minutes ride from Zürich. It is the place where bride owns horse and enjoy horseback riding. The name of the estate is "Albführen". I thought she might show up on the horse with her dress on but she showed up on the carriage pulled by horses, together with groom. The guests welcomed them with a whip arch in stead of flower shower:) It's nice to see some small jokes time to time during the event.




I must say that waiting time is long in many situation but like this the guests can get to know each others. Many people were coming from far, many are from abroad. It really depends but in Japan, the one living abroad hardly fly just to attend the wedding ceremony. Only when he is very close to marrying couple. Yesterday, 170 people joined from ceremony to party which is indeed a lot!



Cocktails before the dinner.



Table plan. Base color was blue. The dress of best women were also blue. Blue might has a meaning of luck or happiness. (my colored dress at the wedding was also light blue!)



Actually, they are beautiful table coordination just like in real banquet room but it is in the big tent!





Biiiiiig wedding cake! It was really cut and served by wedding couple! In Japan, cake is prepared only for a performance. Which means, wedding couple show guests first activity to do something together. This is somehow highlight during the wedding dinner in Japan. But actually, the couple just have a first "cut in". Additionally, this cake will be thrown away and won't be served to guests! I know this is strange, but since the cake is made artistic and many decoration, they are prepared from one day before. For sanitary reason, what really served to the guests is other cake which is made for "EATING" and not for "DISPLAY"



But this one was truly cut and served by a wedding couple!

It was such a long night. Eat, speech, eat performance,, these procedure were almost same like in Japan. The different point is that the dinner continued to dancing party at the same place which is great. In Japan, after dinner, people move on to so-called "second party" The concept of this second party is "now let's have fun and be crazy with friends" therefore, families and bosses are not invited. But yesterday, all the people, men and women, young and old, EVERYBODY enjoyed. Some people were only watching but at least they didn't leave early. DJ was there, playing variety of music which is familiar to many people. Even the rimbo dance was arranged! Many people tried it!

What made me even more surprised was the toughness of bride, groom and elderly guests. The dance party started around 1 am but she was still dancing full power until past 3 am. There were many elderly people as well remaining until very late. As I've written, family and bosses don't attend second party so those who continue until late are only young ones. Plus, among these friends who want to enjoy further personally move on to third or fourth party but bride and groom normally don't go further. They finish at second party for one reason, "being too tired" and another reason that "want to enjoy private time"! But yesterday, couples were still there as far as we left at 3:30 and they were already there again at 10 am at breakfast. Showing guests beautiful fresh smile! Are you not tired?? My wedding was also a one full day project but the day after, I was completely knocked out and lost my voice.



Breakfast on the next day.

Overall, it was very heart warming event. By the time I left the place, I already know many people even the parents of bride and groom. I have to say that organization is far better in Japan. Everything is well planed in advance into small details, such as "16:35 is speech by Mr. Yamada, 16:40 is speech by Ms. Suzuki, from 16:45 dessert are served... etc." But one normal friend won't have chance to chat with a parents of bride (groom)!

Dinner yesterday was seating buffet, which has a benefit of having seat but also can enjoy flexible meal by your own. Like this, people can socialize more during the waiting time of unknown schedule.

After the party, I've been told that the whole event was organized by bride's father. That was very surprising. I believe that it was a big gift from father to a daughter who is getting married and leaving a family. I don't know there is such a understanding in Europe but once you get married, you are leaving your original family in order to create a new one with partner. Father is normally especially sad to let his daughter go. I thought of the live music played during the dinner yesterday. Bride father has arranged it and played the song which all relates to the relationship of the couple. What a lovely arrangement!

European wedding is not too formal but very warm. It touched my heart a lot. I'm already looking forward to meet the people I met from the wedding again in future, and also attending another wedding party!

Cozy Grill Party!

One of the beautiful summer event in Zurich is barbecue. It is familiar to everybody and the best way to socialize with friends and families in a cozy atmosphere. So, my husband recently bought a grill! We had a perfect space for barbecue in our back yard. We organized last Friday inviting family and also yesterday, since it was national holiday in Switzerland. There was a flag top of the church which is sign as a "National holiday". I guess barbecue were organized all over Switzerland yesterday:) When we organize a grill party, our preparation starts from late afternoon. European barbecue is not hambugers and hotdogs. Here in Switzerland, side dish are also important since many people are health consious. (I like it!) Therefore, I cook variety of salads in the kitchen while my husband working on with a grill. Saldas are normally green salad with handmade sauce, pasta salad and tomato mozarella salad which are favorites for everybody! Meats and salads. Healthy combination! I like to arrange something original. This is a multi-purpose sauce:) Garlic and herb cream dipping sauce! I got this receipt from a Swiss girl who cook very good! The sauce is perfect to dip carrots and cucumber but also as a spread sauce for potatoes and meat. So far, nobody can't say "NO" for this sauce:) Our guests! We have also ping pong table. Perfect for those who wants to have little excersise before the meal. My husband is grill meister. (grill professional). Lamb, Rib, chicken,, He is proud of his in-direct grill. Like this, even a thick meat can be grilled very soft without being burned. Biiiiiiiiig meat! T-born steak! But it was also unbelievably soft. Well done! Barbecue always make such a comortable atmosphere. It is like a "Nabe" in Japan which people boiled many ingredients in a big pot and share together. Everybody see how it will be cooked and enjoy sharing. It's a perfect food to get together and be intimate. Barbecue is same. People enjoy how they are grilled and share them in simple way. Once you finished the meal, I can see the sign of "satisfaction" from everybody. Everybody are completely full by the end of the meal but no one can miss desserts as well! Dessert, coffee, chat,,,and long summer day start heading to the next day..

Polterabend!!

It's the word known in only German speaking countries. If I use a word "Bridal Shower", then more people might recognize what it means. It is a girls only (boys only for groom) party and concept is simple. "let's get crazy and enjoy last day as being a single!" So officially, Polterabend must taken place on the day before marriage but that is often the case logically impossible. One cannot have wedding totally drunk:) There's no such a culture in Japan but here in Switzerland, whenever I see a group of crazy people, it's always Polterabend. For example, there was an all-men big group, riding all on a small kick-board and look completely ridiculous. They were all wearing yellow T-shirt saying "Michi's Polterabend".

So, my sister-in-law, Ariuscha will marry in October and we had a big girl's party!! Here is my first Polterabend experience!

The party started from 2 o'clock in the afternoon. This is another key of Polterabend. Those who participate Polterabend are normally very good friend or family of bride (groom) so they are willing to enjoy from the middle of day and spend whole day. Core friends plan whole schedule and it will not be informed to the bride. For Ariuscha, who is super sporty woman, the party started from Wake-boarding!



Ariuscha boarding on the motor boat with hand-made bale from her friends! The motor ran full speed to the middle of the lake. All the girls are screaming and enjoying hopping in the boat. Here begins the party!!



Top runner is of course the heroin, Ariuscha. She dived into the water with a bale on.



Bride on the water!!

She didn't turn down the expectation of the others on the boat. She showed us so many performance on the water, turning and jumping. Soooooo cool!

Some girls also tried and had fun on the water.



The girls return on the land.

After a session, we had cocktails at the park beside the lake. In German it is called "Apéro" when people enjoy some drinks and snacks. First toast for Ariuscha's happiness!



Party goes further. All the girls once go home, take shower and charge energy for the evening since it will continue until late.

Next event is roof-top barbecue party! A friend of Ariuscha has very nice roof-top balcony which accommodate 12 people. With a beautiful city overview, each grills meat brought by own.

Salads, drinks and desserts were also brought and shared.



This is one of the most beautiful and practical way to enjoy summer in Switzerland. Normally, when barbecue party is organized, people bring foods which they want to eat.



Second toast and girl's talk continue...



until late. Sun has set and the day is already heading toward the next day but party is still only in the middle.



Here comes another "key" of Polterabend. The heroine, (hero) has act something crazy, let's say, the one normally never does. For example, men walks on the street wearing woman's underwear, sticking stupid flags on their back,, etc. Sometimes I think it's at the edge of being caught by police! Police in Switzerland is understandable to Polterabend.

Ariuscha was given a princess-like tierra!!



So she has to wear it rest of the day.



The tierra was together with super fancy ear rings!! Ariuscha and one of the party organizer, Ceri.



Dessert is finished and once all have full tommy, of course the last stage of party is "girl's night out"! The club "Mascotte" was already full of people at 11pm but since we had a table reserved, we were able to enjoy with plenty of space. Third toast!



Unique part of this club is full window from floor to ceiling. Often the case, clubs are locating in underground and no window. This time of the year, there is a illumination of ferrice-wheel outside.

Ariuscha has of course still the Tierra on.



It was beautiful club with nice decoration but one thing cracked me up is this fan. This unmodern fan was blowing from 3 parts from the ceiling. For me, it's funny to see this old fashioned fan blowing over the people acting cool and dancing. It doesn't match with trendy club.



Since it's a girl's party to celebrate Ariuscha, we all stayed at the table and enjoy internally. (no flirting!) Sometime took a rest, talk and when good music plays, all stand up again and dance.

It seems that participating Polterabend of good friend is as important as attending to their wedding ceremony. The level of craziness is depends on the group but in any case, there is a heart-warming story in behind. A good friends, thinking of bride (groom) and organize the party. Since I moved to Switzerland, I've never had a real girl's party so I personally enjoyed it a lot. Same time, I thought of my friends in Japan who were also really excited for my marriage.

It is common in all over the world how people feel happy for the marriage of good friends. Here in Switzerland, they want to celebrate it in original way. It is also smart that they invite all the people who will attend the wedding. Some people meet for first time on the Polterabend day but like this, everybody get to know each others before wedding. Then, on the wedding day, power of the celebration and happiness will become bigger, since it is a group already had a party together.